Obituary for Donald A. Heathcock
Donald A. Heathcock
Accomplished Trumpeter
After a period of declining health, Donald A. Heathcock, age 95, died peacefully and with dignity in the home of his son and daughter-in-law on October 18, 2022.
Donald was born in Lowell on November 11, 1926, the son of the late Blanche (Arvisais) and John Leo Heathcock. He grew up in Lowell and graduated from Lowell High School. He joined the United States Navy Seabees and served from 1943 until he was honorably discharged in 1946. Upon discharge, he worked as the head mechanic at Myers Auto Supply in Lowell. He met his beloved Thelma A. Noon there and they were married on April 8, 1951. They shared 64 years of marriage until her passing on December 3, 2015. They raised a son, D. Gary Heathcock, of Lowell.
After 36 years, in 1989, Donald retired from the New England Telephone Company, where he worked as a Toll Technician in the Central Office in Lowell. Don and Thelma enjoyed many happy years camping around the country, with their most memorable trip being to Alaska. They also celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Ireland. Donald often said that he enjoyed everything about his life and had no regrets!
At the age of nine, Donald began to play the trumpet. He formed his first band in 1949, and traveled around the Middlesex County area playing at various venues. Some of the bands that he played with in his later years were the Comeback Kids of Chelmsford, the Silvertones of Tewksbury, and with the Dave Whitney Orchestra.
Donald leaves his son and daughter-in-law, D. Gary Heathcock and Robin K. (Mayall) Heathcock, of Lowell. Besides his wife, he is predeceased by his grandson, Matthew T. Heathcock, who passed away on January 24, 2015. He was also predeceased by his brother, John L. Heathcock.
It being his wishes, after cremation, he will be buried privately with his wife at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Tewksbury. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made in his name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Tufts Medicine Care at Home (formerly Merrimack Valley Hospice Home Care) 360 Merrimack Street, Suite 425, Lawrence, MA 01843.
Accomplished Trumpeter
After a period of declining health, Donald A. Heathcock, age 95, died peacefully and with dignity in the home of his son and daughter-in-law on October 18, 2022.
Donald was born in Lowell on November 11, 1926, the son of the late Blanche (Arvisais) and John Leo Heathcock. He grew up in Lowell and graduated from Lowell High School. He joined the United States Navy Seabees and served from 1943 until he was honorably discharged in 1946. Upon discharge, he worked as the head mechanic at Myers Auto Supply in Lowell. He met his beloved Thelma A. Noon there and they were married on April 8, 1951. They shared 64 years of marriage until her passing on December 3, 2015. They raised a son, D. Gary Heathcock, of Lowell.
After 36 years, in 1989, Donald retired from the New England Telephone Company, where he worked as a Toll Technician in the Central Office in Lowell. Don and Thelma enjoyed many happy years camping around the country, with their most memorable trip being to Alaska. They also celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Ireland. Donald often said that he enjoyed everything about his life and had no regrets!
At the age of nine, Donald began to play the trumpet. He formed his first band in 1949, and traveled around the Middlesex County area playing at various venues. Some of the bands that he played with in his later years were the Comeback Kids of Chelmsford, the Silvertones of Tewksbury, and with the Dave Whitney Orchestra.
Donald leaves his son and daughter-in-law, D. Gary Heathcock and Robin K. (Mayall) Heathcock, of Lowell. Besides his wife, he is predeceased by his grandson, Matthew T. Heathcock, who passed away on January 24, 2015. He was also predeceased by his brother, John L. Heathcock.
It being his wishes, after cremation, he will be buried privately with his wife at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Tewksbury. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made in his name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Tufts Medicine Care at Home (formerly Merrimack Valley Hospice Home Care) 360 Merrimack Street, Suite 425, Lawrence, MA 01843.